Chapel at Cheb Castle, Czech Republic (manortiz)
Cheb CastleThere was a fortified place over a rocky slope on the right bank of the Ohře (Eger) River already in the 9th century. The findings in the eastern part of the uncovered cemetery (in particular so called hair rings) indicate the Slavonic origin of the settlement. Ramparts wide up to 35m were uncovered in the proximity of Jánské Square at the beginning of the 60’s of the 20th century. The elevation in the western part of today´s castle is not of a natural origin, debris and clay had been transported there for decades.
The Cheb area (Egerland), a relatively desolate area, started to be settled while being a part of the Nordgau and under the rule of the Vohburgs, a stony castle was built at the place of a former settlement in the western part. Friedrich Barbarossa had another castle built in the second half of the 12th century, but this one was located in the more eastern part. There was no capital in the empire at that time and the ruler would travel around the empire with an entourage and rule from his castles called palatines. And the Cheb castle was such a palatinate with a palace, chapel and farm buildings.
A number of imperial diets took place here (the first one in 1179) and important deeds were exhibited here – for instance the Golden Bull of Eger. Both kings and emperors used to stay here. Zikmund was the last emperor living at the castle in the years of 1431 and 1437. Jiří of Poděbrady was the last crowned head living in the castle in the years of 1459, 1461 and 1467.
Then the castle was already only deteriorating. It seems that after the Wallenstein´s officers had been killed nobody wanted to live neither in the castle nor in the last habitable part, so called Kuchlhaus. Constricted into brick walls and casemates, the castle has become a fortification in the last years of the Thirty Years´ War. The chapel served as a powder store and therefore it was saved from demolition. The first predominantly conservation works started after the castle has been transferred to the town in 1895.